In Situ Characterizations Revealing Ruthenium-Atom-Induced Raise of Photocatalytic Performance

Amin Talebian-Kiakalaieh, Meijun Guo, Elhussein M. Hashem, Bingquan Xia, Yunling Jiang, Clarence Chuah, Youhong Tang, Philip Kwong, Jingrun Ran, Shi Zhang Qiao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Citations (Scopus)
59 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Rational design/fabrication of high-activity photocatalysts is of central importance to realize solar-to-chemical conversion for tackling worldwide energy/environmental issues. Hence, it is desirable to disclose the element/space/time-resolved charge kinetics and surface species evolution of photocatalysts under realistic conditions using various in situ characterizations. Furthermore, the correlation of the above-disclosed mechanisms with atomic-scale compositions/structures of photocatalysts can further direct the atomic-level design/synthesis of high-performance photocatalysts. Herein, Ru atoms incorporated CdS quantum dots (QDs) are synthesized using an in situ hot-injection route. The optimized Ru incorporated CdS QDs (Ru0.1) exhibit excellent photocatalytic evolution rates of H2O2 (8.78 mmol g−1 h−1) and benzaldehyde (11.70 mmol g−1 h−1), respectively. Four different in situ characterizations demonstrate that in realistic conditions, the incorporated Ru atoms with high oxidation state (+3) effectively attract photo-generated electrons from bulk to the overall surface of Ru0.1; these directed electron flows also greatly facilitate the transfer of photo-generated holes from bulk to surface of Ru0.1 via efficiently reducing electron-hole recombination. in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, electron spin spectroscopy, and species-trapping experiments further reveal three possible reaction pathways for H2O2 evolution. This work underscores the use of in situ characterizations to reveal the element/space/time-resolved electrons/holes kinetics and surface-species generation for photocatalysts in realistic conditions.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2301594
Number of pages12
JournalAdvanced Energy Materials
Volume13
Issue number37
Early online date9 Aug 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Oct 2023

Keywords

  • HO evolution
  • in situ characterizations
  • realistic charge kinetics
  • Ru atoms

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